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MCDST at a glance
Target audience:
This job role represents an entry point
into a career as an IT professional.
Candidates for this credential work in
small- to medium-sized computing
environments supporting end-users
that use Microsoft Windows XP
Professional or Microsoft Windows
2000 Professional as a desktop
operating system. They have either
completed technical training on
supporting Windows XP Professional
and Windows 2000 Professional or
have a minimum of six months of
experience supporting and trouble-
shooting any desktop operating
system in a workgroup or domain
network environment.
Typical job titles for MCDST:
• Help Desk Technician
• Customer Support Representative
• PC Support Specialist
• Technical Support Representative
Experience:
MCDST is an entry-level certification.
Exam requirements:
Two core exams.
1 Gartner 2003
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics
© 2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.
Microsoft, Microsoft Press, and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual com-
panies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. 1003 Part No. 098-98782
product support staff, product developers, service experts, and technical editors to
ensure the most accurate information for the Windows Desktop Operating System.
Microsoft Certified Technical Education Centers (Microsoft CTECs) deliver these learning
resources as well as other consultative services tailored to your individual needs to help
you gain knowledge and apply your skills. Microsoft Skills Assessment, available at
www.microsoft.com/assessment, evaluates whether you are ready to implement specific
business solutions and provides you with recommended ways to increase your knowledge
and skills.
The value of MCDST certification to candidates:
• MCDST certification validates the baseline skills needed to enter the IT industry
as a support professional.
• MCDST certification helps accelerate support technician careers by providing
a structured framework for learning skills.
• MCDST certification distinguishes job candidates from their peers.
• MCDST certification enhances job satisfaction through increased technical competency.
• MCDST certification provides a knowledge foundation for additional Microsoft
certifications.
The value of MCDST certification to hiring managers and organizations:
• MCDST certification provides a tangible benchmark for identifying qualified candidates
for a support technician role.
• MCDST training and certification give your organization a competitive advantage
by allowing you to provide outstanding and consistent service to your customers.
• MCDST training and certification increase operational efficiency and reduce
business costs.
For more information, visit the Microsoft Learning Web site
or contact your local Microsoft CTEC.
www.microsoft.com/mcdst
Microsoft Certified
MCDST
The Microsoft® Certified Desktop
Support Technician (MCDST) on
Microsoft Windows® XP credential
recognizes individuals who have
demonstrated the baseline skills to
enter the IT industry as a support
desk technician in a Windows-
based desktop environment.
Whether you are a career-entrant
or a current support technician,
you can readily pursue MCDST
certification — an important step
in accelerating your career as an
IT professional.
Desktop Support Technician
On Microsoft Windows XP
Launch a successful IT career.
Organizations need qualified entry-level professionals to support the Microsoft
Windows Desktop Operating System environment. There are an estimated 100,000
IT desktop support jobs available in the United States.1 In addition, demand for
support specialists is expected to grow more than 90% between now and 2010.2
The MCDST certification validates the fundamental skills needed to enter the IT industry
as a support desk professional. The desktop support technician role helps end-users
be more productive with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office. If you’re looking
to begin a successful career path and take advantage of job market opportunities,
the MCDST certification puts you on the right track to get a job that meets increasing
support services demand.
Start with the right foundation.
MCDST certification demonstrates valuable troubleshooting expertise with the
Windows Desktop Operating System to employers and clients. For career entrants
looking to enter the IT industry or current support desk representatives looking to
differentiate themselves, MCDST training and certification demonstrate to employers
and clients your valuable troubleshooting skills supporting end-users with the
Windows Desktop Operating System.
The MCDST certification provides a framework for learning and validating the skills
that support technicians need. As a desktop support technician, you will use excellent
customer service skills, educate users, and solve hardware or software operation and
application problems on the desktop. You will learn valuable skills and best practices
consistent with IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF)
foundational operations which are emphasized throughout all of the training content.
Move ahead of the competition with quality, flexible learning solutions.
Prepare for the MCDST certification exams with Official Microsoft Learning Products.
Content was designed with the help of Microsoft Product Support Services staff. All
scenarios and troubleshooting methods are derived from customers with real-world
problems. Comprehensive learning tools, including Microsoft Official Courses and
Microsoft Press® Self-Paced Training Kits, have been designed to give you the detailed
technical information you need in a format that complements the way you want
to learn. All learning products and exams were reviewed and approved by Microsoft
Continued on back
MCDST on Microsoft Windows XP Core exams: two required

EXAMS OFFICIAL MICROSOFT LEARNING PRODUCTS MICROSOFT PRESS BOOKS

Core exams two exams required

Exam 70-271: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Course 2261: Supporting Users Running the MCDST Self Paced Training Kit: Supporting Users
a Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Operating System (3 days) and Troubleshooting Microsoft Windows XP
(Exam 20-271).

Exam 70-272: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Course 2262: Supporting Users Running Applications MCDST Self Paced Training Kit: Supporting Users
Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP on a Microsoft Windows XP Desktop Operating System and Troubleshooting Applications on a Microsoft
Operating System (2 days) Windows XP Platform (Exam 20-272).

MCDST, MCSA, or MCSE

Which certification is right for you?
For IT professionals, Microsoft offers three certifications to validate your expertise: Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), Microsoft Certified Systems
Administrator (MCSA), and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). Which certification is right for you and your job role?

Choose MCDST if you: Choose MCSA if you: Choose MCSE if you:

• Want to pursue an IT career and need to
enhance baseline support skills on the
Microsoft Windows Desktop Operating System.
OR
• Work in a service desk position and want to
validate your skills and further your career
growth potential.
• Implement, manage, and maintain the typically
complex computing environment of medium-
sized to large companies.
OR
• Have sufficient hands-on experience with
implementing, managing, and maintaining
desktop and network operating systems and
managing and maintaining a network
infrastructure.
• Design, plan, and implement Microsoft
Windows Server solutions and architectures
in medium-sized to large companies.
OR
• Have at least one year of experience
designing, planning, implementing, and
analyzing business solutions with Microsoft
products and technologies.

Examples of job titles: Examples of job titles: Examples of job titles:

• Help Desk Technician • Systems Administrator • Systems Engineer
• Customer Support Representative • Network Administrator • Network Engineer
• PC Support Specialist • Information Systems Administrator • Systems Analyst
• Technical Support Representative • Network Operations Analyst • Network Analyst
• Network Technician
• Technical Support Specialist

Learn more about the MCDST credential. Learn more about the MCSA credential. Learn more about the MCSE credential.
www.microsoft.com/mcdst www.microsoft.com/mcsa www.microsoft.com/mcse

MCDST, MCSA, or MCSE

How do certification requirements differ?

Certification: MCDST MCSA MCSE

Number of total exams required: 1 2 4 7

Number of core exams required: 2 3 6

• 1 client operating system exam • 1 client operating system exam
• 2 networking system exams • 4 networking system exams
• 1 design exam

Number of elective exams required: 2 0 1 1

Design skills required: NO NO YES

1 Not counting upgrade paths.

2 Certain certifications from CompTIA and Unisys may satisfy elective exam requirements. See Web site for information.

Technology Lifecycle

DESIGN PLAN IMPLEMENT MANAGE MAINTAIN

SERVER/NETWORK CLIENT/DESKTOP